The Magician's Assistant by Ann Patchett Summary Study Guide

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Genres: Fiction

Nook

First published December 20, 2010

Reviews

[Kristi Nohavec · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book - but didn't love it. This is one of the author's early works ...

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have thoroughly enjoyed other Ann Patchett books I've read, but this one . . . not so much.

I will admit that it kept me reading (listening), but it felt like she had maybe planned this as the first in a series (of at least 2 books) about the Fetters family.

I say this, because at one point it appears that Kitty and Sabine are attracted sexually to each other, but that goes nowhere, at least during the time covered by this book. And there's also no hint at the end of the book that Kitty's husband will leave her alone or whether Kitty and her boys will move to Los Angeles in order to stay out of the small town where her husband will remain.

So all in all, I felt like Sabine and the Fetters family had walked up to the edge of a cliff, looked into the abyss, and then the book ends. I mean, I do not like all the ends tied up in a nice shiny bow at the end of any book, but this is this polar opposite! I'm wondering if the problem may be that this was one of her very early works.(?)

[Sarah Smith]

I read this for my live book club, then sadly I missed the discussion meeting. This is the story of Sabine (a magician's assistant) after her Magician and husband, Parsifal dies. She is not handling his death well, and then secrets about his past and his family come out to throw he life even further into turmoil. I loved Patchettt's writing, and her ability to create a complete character. Did I understand each character and the characters reasons for who they were. No not completely, but I still felt that they were a whole character, and like people in real life, not always fully understandable. I loved the book. I sped through it in a two nights after work. It was so easy to slip into Pratchett's world.

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

William is the son of a lawyer but rather than follow in his father’s footsteps he is determined to be a detective. After graduating from university with a fine arts degree, he is accepted into the force as a police officer. Eventually he is promoted to Scotland Yard where he is works in the fine arts division investigating the case of a priceless Rembrandt painting which has been stolen from a local museum. This where he meets Beth, a young lady who is a research assistant at the museum. In spite of his best efforts, has he been outwitted by an unscrupulous individual? Maybe we will find out in the next book in the series.

[Carol Sheffer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Patchett is an excellent story teller. This book drew me in quickly and held me to the end with its twists and turns. The only thing I thought was superfluous was Kitty and Sabine towards the end. I would definitely read a sequel should there be one.

[Jo Ann Bohr · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love anything Ann Patchett writes.

[Susan Vencill · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to this book. It kept my attention but it was lacking something.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn’t sure what this book was going to be about, but I have heard it is good, and this is the fourth book I have read by Ann Patchett, so I didn’t mind “going in blind.” What a story! It is a story of family, combined with a bit of mystery, and lots of social issues, but very smoothly written. It is not a happy story, but a very satisfying one.

[Marlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was very interesting. I really like this authors writing style. It started with the sad part first.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book.

[Ellen Chamberlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

one of my top ten favorite books, I read it during winter. I remember loving this book so much.

[Tonia · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought her dream sequences were strange and didn't offer anything to the story, yet they were a prominent part of the writing. I hope the next Ann Patchett book is better.

[Laura Milvy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Enjoyed it but not as good as her others

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Endings by Ann Patchett are always a bit... off? But a good read nonetheless.

[Joy Cichewicz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Abrupt ending, good till then.